Weeks before Sonja Chrystal was born, her father was in a farming accident and became a paraplegic. Months after she was born, her mother packed her bags and left her paralysed husband and two little girls, and never returned. Her dad and her grandparents raised Sonja and her sister on a cropping and grazing property in the central west of NSW before Sonja found herself living and working in Sydney as a graphic designer. It was there that she met her fiance Jeremy, and the father of her son, Herbie, who just turned one. After her dad passed away, Sonja and her non-farmer husband decided to trade their life in Sydney’s Paddington and moved an hour from Dubbo so Sonja could run the family property. While running the property, Sonja and Jeremey decided to start trying for a baby. Things weren’t as simple as they hoped and after an operation, Sonja was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis. After booking in for a round of IVF, she then found out she was pregnant. Herbie was born in February 2024, but Sonja had never felt more alone. Sonja is a truly remarkable person and her story is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. From her incredibly unique upbringing, what it was like growing up without a mum, through to isolation, grief, a traumatic birth, a radiant sense of positivity, all while managing a property -  we discuss everything including the depths of her postpartum depression and anxiety that she’s been through and survived….. and how telehealth saved her life. This is Sonja Chrystal’s story.

A quick warning today’s episode discusses mental health including birth trauma and PNDA if you or anyone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Did you know that you can check when to expect to be connected or upgraded on the nbn network through the ‘check your address’ tool? nbn can also conduct an additional analysis to confirm the availability of access to the nbn Fixed Wireless service at your actual premises.

To ‘check your address’ and learn more about the nbn’s fixed wireless expansion in regional and remote Australia check out our show notes: https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/regional

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From very early on in her career, Elise Petty was a go getter who wanted to make life better for rural people, no matter what role she was in. From working as Telstra Country Life’s General Manager in Armidale NSW, to being a Senior Advisor in Kununurra for Argyle Diamonds, whatever Elise has had a crack at,she’s excelled.  Which is why she thought she’d excel when she had a baby. But as we know, things don’t always go to plan. And very soon Elise found herself living on a property in the New England region of NSW, with a baby who wasn’t sleeping or putting on weight. That came following an emergency cesarean and 11 days in hospital. Because on reflection, Elise realised at that time in her life, she did need help.

That was 20 years ago. Elise now also has three adult step daughters. She’s  an Executive Manager at NBN, who are the current sponsor of Motherland’s Summer podcast season, and has been with NBN for the past five years. Today she joins me on this special episode to share her story in a way she’s not done before whilst also covering the critical topic of connectivity.. And the type of tech that’s available now that she could only dream of when she was growing up on the land doing distance ed through HF radio. This is her story.

• To check what nbn service is available for you and to stay informed about upcoming upgrades, please visit, Check your address | nbn
• If you are experiencing issues with your nbn service please contact your Retail Service Provider (the people who you pay your monthly internet bill to).
• Regional Tech Hub provides free independent telecommunications advice to rural regional and remote Australians Regional Tech Hub - free phone and internet support

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When you google Cathie Schnitzerling, you’ll be met with some remarkable career statistics. Not only was she Landline’s first-ever presenter in 1991 and the current Executive Producer of the show, but she is also an award-winning writer, producer, and media executive. Her career has taken her to Sydney, to Melbourne and to Brisbane. She’s worked across radio, TV and documentaries. But at the heart of everything she does is her love of the land and the love of her two kids who she raised as a single mum. 20 years ago, Cathie returned home from a work trip with her two-year-old son to find her husband dead. It was a shock, and a part of her journey that she very matter-of-factly reflects on in our chat, but it was this loss, along with her children that drove her forward. What Cathie did next is nothing short of remarkable. She raised her two kids as a single mum, climbed the career ladder and even got qualifications from Harvard Business School. As she says, she went full throttle on her career and motherhood. But not without burnout. Cathie recently fulfilled a long-held dream and relocated from Brisbane to a small farm in the Darling Downs two hours from the city, where she is learning to raise cows, chickens and guinea fowl. I’m grateful I met Cathie in person last year… while 10,000 feet up in the sky together. This is her story. 

By extending nbn Fixed Wireless network, high speed full fibre network services, and exploring emerging satellite technologies - nbn continues its commitment to lift the digital capability in regional and remote Australia in 2025. To learn more about the nbn’s investment in connecting regional and remote Australia, head to: https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/regional

Brookfield Farm grows the finest quality ingredients to produce unique Tasmanian essential oils and native plant extracts. Ello Botanicals facial oils are your go-to for an all natural healthy glow. Find them on Instagram @ellobotanicals and receive 20%  OFF when you use the code MOTHERLAND20

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Connie Wood, her husband Matt and their 3 kids manage Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory. A property that spans 3 million acres and is a 5 hour drive away from the closest big town, Katherine. And the realities of living on a remote station? We’ll, they’re a lot. When Connie had her first child, she used to drive a 300 kilometre round trip just to get to a mother’s group for some support and connection. The groceries are delivered by a truck once a week, and if anyone forgets to order bread or milk, well, forget it! And when their son was diagnosed with ADHD, Connie and Matt found support through the local Aboriginal health clinic - because the specialist in Darwin couldn’t see them for a year. But through all of this, alongside her own mental health battles, Connie is extremely pragmatic and positive. I thoroughly enjoyed this chat with Connie, especially the part where she talked about her kids being the light she needed through her darkest times. This is her story.

Warning: This episode discusses mental health and briefly mentions suicide. If you need support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

The ‘Innovate with nbn’ grants program has been designed to help innovative regional and remote businesses to thrive and grow.

Nbn is looking for digital businesses in regional and remote Australia who live and breathe technology in Education, Agriculture, Women in Regional Business, Indigenous Business, Health, & Tourism and the Arts. 

To learn more about the Innovate with nbn Grants Program and the incredible recipients, click HERE

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Cindy Banks always thought she’d have two kids. She grew up in a two-child household. Her husband grew up in a two-kid household. Two kids was just the norm. Plus, when you live on a remote station in Queensland, 135km northwest of Cunnamulla, two kids is a whole lot easier to teach distance education to, instead of say…four. But for Cindy, four is now her reality. Because she gave birth to 2 sets of twins in just under 2 years! I met Cindy at Channel Country Ladies Day in 2024, and knew instantly I had to have her on the podcast to tell her story. Mainly because she was so calm, and I couldn’t work out how a person with four girls under the age of five could be that chill. But, remarkably she was, and is, as you’re about to hear. On this episode we discuss the realities of station life, what it was like finding out she was pregnant with twins (again), her struggles, and the importance of filling your cup as a mother. This is Cindy Banks’ story. 

Our summer sponsor nbn has  developed some easy to use tools and resources to support you with your digital set-up from wherever you are in regional and rural Australia. In just 5 mins the nbn Online Helper will guide you through a short journey of assessing your internet set-up and usage needs to build a personalised set of recommendations that may help you improve your digital set-up, and gauge and improve your online skills with the nbn Online Skills Check and Resources. Visit: www.nbnco.com.au/learn/regional

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Hannah Speers was standing on a stage speaking when I first heard her story, and I knew instantly that I wanted to invite her onto the show. When Hannah met her husband Joe in Tumut near the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales, she didn’t think she wanted to have kids. But she realised that she loved Joe enough to have his kids. And very quickly Liam came along in 2008, followed by Lulu, 12 months later. Hannah and Joe set up their family not far outside of Tumut in a small town called Adelong. Hannah had a successful career at Elders (where she still works) and Joe was working as a Machinery Operator in one of the Pine Mill’s in town. Life was good, chaos, but good. Then a series of events happened that led to their youngest, Lulu, being diagnosed with anxiety. But unbeknownst to Hannah, Liam was also struggling... and what happened next is unimaginable. Hannah is a remarkable woman. And she is going to help a lot of parents of teenagers by sharing her story today.

Just a warning, this conversation deals with suicide and parts of Hannah’s story is very upsetting. If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline now on 131114. 

https://www.lifechanger.org.au/

A reminder from our Summer Sponsor nbn that 2 in 3 Australians haven't checked their internet plan in the last 3 years - when was the last time you reviewed yours? To learn more about checking and optimising your nbn digital set-up from wherever you are in regional or rural Australia visit: www.nbnco.com.au/learn/optimisation/in-home-optimisation

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You’ve probably heard of my guest today. But chances are, what you haven’t heard is the story she’s about to tell you. Holly Goodman is a regional powerhouse. She’s a teacher turned small business owner turned fashion designer, and now runs her own label, Peter Bill. Holly met her husband Ben while they were both showing cattle at the Sydney Royal Easter show in High school. They both knew they wanted kids, but it didn’t happen instantly for them. As her friends were getting pregnant around her, Holly was struggling to conceive. But, after two years of trying, their first son was born and she was smitten. 17 months later, their second son arrived in the world. But things weren’t so smooth the second time around. Holly is a very ‘happy-go-lucky person’- but she struggled silently with her mental health for over a year. In this episode, she opens up for the first time about her struggles, how she got through it, and why, not long after, she decided to launch her fashion label. Today we discuss business, family life, mental health and why it’s okay to want to wind back your career a bit to focus on family. This is Holly Goodman’s story. 

Our summer sponsor nbn has a strategy for rural Australia and they’re on a mission to ensure that every rural household has access to fast, reliable, and affordable broadband, enabling more families, wherever they live, to access the opportunities and benefits that the latest in connectivity can offer. Motherland is powered by nbn, and we’re proud to partner with them this season. To learn more about how nbn is  transforming rural communities, visit www.nbnco.com.au/learn/regional.

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At 56, Louise Taheny has lived a very big life. The twists and turns and setbacks have truly made her who she is today; a very remarkable woman, as you’re about to hear. Louise was born and raised in regional South Australia, and met her husband John, a farmer, in her early 20s. They knew they wanted a big family. First came Edwina, then Tom, Lucy, Will and then, their youngest, Hugo. After five children in six years, when Hugo was born, Louise knew instantly that things weren’t the same as her other babies. A few days after his birth, Hugo was diagnosed with Down syndrome, and that came with its own kind of challenges. More than a decade on, Louise’s husband had a stroke, and then unbelievably in 2022, their son Will was a passenger in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. But just wait until you hear what both Hugo and Will have been up to despite their challenges. Over the years, again and again, everything Louise knew, particularly as a mother, was tested, but her positivity and love for her family has shone through all the hardships. So, after everything that has been thrown her way, what has she learned? This is Louise Taheny’s story. 

Our 2025 Summer podcast sponsor NBN is helping bridge the digital gap by providing fast, reliable internet to rural communities and families just like yours. Whether it’s for business,education, health and support, or staying connected with loved ones - nbn’s commitment to rural Australia is shaping a more connected and inclusive future. We’re excited to have them onboard, and also thank them for being the major partner of Motherland Connect! To learn more about how NBN is supporting rural communities, visit nbnco.com.au. 

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Raechel writes songs about things that matter. Her childhood was spent performing in her family band and instilled a connection to rural Australia. She spent most of her early years living in a caravan while travelling and performing, before establishing herself as one of Australia's most promising new country artists. Her debut album ‘Finally Clear’ debuted at #1 on ARIA Australian Country Charts, and her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘what a time to be alive’ was released in 2024.  I sat down with Raech to talk about motherhood, rural life, and importantly, why she wrote a song about her miscarriage. This is her story.

Warning: this episode discusses preganancy loss. If you need support, please contact Red Nose Grief and Loss who offer a 24/7 support line on 1300 308 307

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Shanna is the founder, CEO, and face behind Sober in the Country, a nationally respected grassroots not-for-profit, shifting the entire conversation around booze in the bush. Shan almost lost her life to trauma-linked alcohol addiction a decade ago and then chose to use her second chance to advocate for other rural and remote people just like her. In our very candid chat, we cover everything from Shan's childhood in Zimbabwe, her struggle with addiction, Sober in the Country's impact, and the toxic 'mummy wine culture'. Motherhood is also something we touch on, and it's very difficult for Shan to talk about.  She's always wanted to become a mum - but never got the chance. A warning: today's episode touches on mental health, suicide, trauma, and sexual assault. If you need help, support services are listed below:

Lifeline 13 11 14
Sober in the Country: www.soberinthecountry.org
Family Drug Support 1300 368 186
Family Member Help: 1300 660 068

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